How safe are over-the-counter painkillers?

Veröffentlicht am: October 30, 2024

General practitioner

How do you react when something hurts? Do you reach for over-the-counter painkillers from the pharmacy? But have you ever thought about whether they are really as safe as they seem?

Are over-the-counter medicines always safe?

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used painkillers worldwide. Some, such as ibuprofen, are also available over the counter and can be bought in pharmacies at any time. But to assume that these drugs are safe just because they can be bought without a prescription and without advice is a big mistake. This creates a false sense of security. More and more studies are proving their harmful effects on our health.

Painkillers damage the heart

A Danish study from 2018 investigated the link between NSAIDs and cardiac arrest. Between 2001 and 2010, all patients who suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were identified. The results showed that the use of NSAIDs was associated with a 31% higher risk of cardiac arrest.

This clearly shows that these drugs are anything but harmless. According to the researchers, they have numerous effects on the cardiovascular system, such as causing blood clots, narrowing the arteries or increasing blood pressure.

➤ NSAIDs increase the risk of cardiac arrest by 31%!

Natural remedies to support your heart

1) Resveratrol:

The secondary plant substance resveratrol helps to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This also benefits the heart.

2) OPC with vitamin C

Grape seed extract supports the cardiovascular system by improving oxygenation in the blood and also helps to naturally lower blood pressure.

3) Omega 3

Our diet has a direct impact on our heart health. Bad fats in particular are bad for the heart. Therefore, focus on good fats such as omega 3.

But it's not just our heart that is burdened by excessive use of painkillers, our head also suffers - and massively so.

Chronic headaches due to painkillers

Do you often have headaches and take painkillers for them? Think again. Paradoxically, studies have shown that taking painkillers too often can lead to a worse headache.

Around 1 to 2 % of the general population suffers from headaches caused by overuse of medication. If only patients with chronic headaches are considered, as many as 25-50% are among those who regularly take pain medication too often. In most cases, migraine is the underlying headache disorder.

➤ Up to 50% of all patients with chronic headaches overuse medication!

Get rid of migraines naturally

1) Magnesium

There are already many studies that prove the effectiveness of magnesium for migraine patients. Regular and high doses are said to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.

2) Omega 3

Studies have shown that omega 3 can help and support the prevention and treatment of migraines.

Natural painkillers as an alternative

Strong painkillers can not only be harmful to our health, but can also make us addicted, as the ongoing opioid crisis in America shows. That's why more and more people are looking for natural alternatives to combat pain and discovering effective nutritional supplements for themselves.

1) MSM

Doctors are increasingly recommending the natural sulphur MSM for chronic pain. The natural analgesic is said to have impressive pain-relieving properties.

2) CBD oil

CBD oil has been in vogue for some time when it comes to chronic pain and inflammation - and rightly so. Study results confirm the new possibilities offered by CBD in the treatment of chronic pain.

3) Incense

Frankincense is often used for joint pain such as arthritis or arthrosis, as it helps to reduce swelling, improve joint mobility and relieve pain.

Conclusion

Chronic pain is a burden for many people, which is why they often resort to over-the-counter painkillers. However, you should reconsider taking them regularly. This is because these medications can have many side effects.

The current message being conveyed to the general public about over-the-counter painkillers is wrong. These powerful drugs are neither safe nor should they simply be taken as they are.

Take the risk of over-the-counter painkillers seriously. Only take them if you really need to. It is even better if you look for the cause of the pain and focus on natural and long-term pain relief. Please remember that any overuse of over-the-counter painkillers can harm the body.

Sources (in English)

Schmidt, M., Sørensen, H. T. & Pedersen, L. (2018, September). Diclofenac use and cardiovascular risks: series of nationwide cohort studies. BMJ 2018;362:k3426

Mankad, R. (2020, December). NSAIDs: Do they increase my risk of heart attack and stroke? Mayo Clinic

Common painkiller linked to increased risk of major heart problems. BMJ (2018, September)

Harmless' painkillers associated with increased risk of cardiac arrest: Researchers advise avoiding diclofenac and limiting ibuprofen to 1200 mg per day. European Society of Cardiology

Sanin, L. C., Mathew, N. T., Bellmeyer, L. R. & Ali, S. (1994, December). The International Headache Society (IHS) Headache Classification as applied to a headache clinic population. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1994.1406443.x

Dichgans, J., Diener, H. C., Gerber, W. D., Verspohl, E. J., Kukiolka, H. & Kluck, M. (2008, März) Analgesics-induced chronic headache. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1984; 109(10): 369-373, DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1069197

Alstadhaug, K. B., Ofte, H. K. & Kristoffersen E. S. (2017, July). Preventing and treating medication overuse headache. Pain Rep. 2017 Jul; 2(4): e612., Published online 2017 Jul 26. doi: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000000612

Köseoglu, E., Talaslioglu, A., Gönül, A. S. & Kula, M. (2008, June) The effects of magnesium prophylaxis in migraine without aura. Magnes Res. 2008 Jun;21(2):101-8.

Stovner, L. J., Hagen, K., Jensen, R., et al. (2007, March). The Global Burden of Headache: A Documentation of Headache Prevalence and Disability Worldwide. SAGE Journals, doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2007.01288.x

Harel, Z., Gascon, G., Riggs, S., Vaz, R., Brown, W. & Exil, G. (2002, August). Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of recurrent migraines in adolescents. Journal of adoloscent Health VOLUME 31, ISSUE 2, P154-161